If you’re no stranger to sudden breakouts, you’ll understand how frustrating they can be. Sometimes it feels as though no matter how much you cleanse, tone and scrub, their pesky heads still appear, and often at the worst of times. Whilst they’re easy to conceal, wouldn’t it be great to say goodbye to troublesome skin for good? Where are you breaking out?If this sounds familiar, perhaps it’s time to study your skin a little deeper to understand exactly what your breakouts are trying to tell you. Firstly, think about where your spots tend to appear. If they’re concentrated to a certain area of your face, the chances are you’ll soon discover the route of the problem. This theory is called Face Mapping and suggests the location of your acne could present clues as to what’s causing it. Keep reading to find out some of the most common acne triggers and what you can do to control breakouts. 1. Spots on the ForeheadIf your spots are concentrated to the forehead this could indicate a problem with the digestive system. Generally, this is caused by high fat intake. To help your body break these foods down its best to cleanse your diet with plenty of fruit and veg, as well as increasing your intake of water and even incorporating green tea. If things don’t improve, this could signal a possible food intolerance. 2. Spots Between the EyebrowsSpots in this area are linked to the liver, so if your finding a pimple or two after a night out or a late-night takeaway, you know why! Stick with healthier choices as often as possible and trade in a night out for a night in every once in a while, trust us when we say your skin will thank you for it! 3. Spots on the NoseSpots on the nose tend to be linked to the heart. The heart is part of an entire system that pumps blood throughout the body, and when something that goes wrong with that system, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or even stress, it can be linked to the nose. To keep your nose blemish free its best to regulate the heart with a balanced and healthy diet including plentyof fresh food, nuts and omega-rich fish, whilst keeping stress to minimum with mindful exercises like yoga. It’s also important to note that the nose is full of dilated pores that can become easily clogged, so make sure to keep anything that comes into contact with it, like makeup brushes, clean. 4. Spots under your eyesSpots under your eyes are generally linked to the respiratory system. If you smoke, work in the city or are exposed to a lot of polluted air you’re going to notice breakouts here. Whilst it can be hard to avoid pollution altogether, there are steps that can be taken to reduce its impact on the skin. For example, take a long weekend walk in the countryside or add plants to your home or office to help increase your exposure to clean, fresh air. It’s also important to maintain a thorough skincare regime to ensure dirt and grime is removed from the skin every night. 5. Spots on the cheeksCheek spots signal a change in hormones and tend to rear their heads around the same time every month. Although there isn’t much that can be done to prevent these spots (thanks Mother Nature), there are steps that can be taken to control them. In the days before your period, it’s important to pay extra attention to your skincare. We recommend opting for face washes, toners and masks that contain clarifying ingredients like Witch Hazel or Salicylic Acid to control oil production and improve the appearance of blemishes. By paying attention to your breakouts and focusing on the areas in which your spots appear, you’ll be better equipped to find out what is causing them and put the right steps in place to control them. For more skincare tips and advice don’t forget to follow @monuskincare on Instagram and Twitter.​

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UNDERSTANDING SERUMS

If you’re not totally sure what it is that serums actually do, don’t worry because you’re not alone! A serum is a skincare product that should be applied to the skin after cleansing, but prior to moisturising. Lighter than a moisturiser, serums can penetrate the skin deeper than other products to deliver a highly-concentrated dose of active ingredients and essential oils. It’s due to their ability to soak deeper into the skin that means they’re great for targeting concerns like premature ageing, dullness or dehydration. So, if you want to see results, we recommend investing in a serum to include in your skincare regime. At MONU, we’re proud of our impressive range of serums. We’re confident that, whatever your skin concern, you’ll find a serum to deliver the results you need. Check out our guide below for our pick of the best. Brighten & RevitaliseIf your skin has lost its shine, you’ll want nothing more than to inject a little vitality back into your complexion. Look out for serums that contain ingredients like vitamin c, hyaluronic acid and polysaccharides. These ingredients not only protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals, like pollution, but also deliver intense hydration while refining signs of pigmentation. Hydra Lift SerumDue to our advanced blend of hyaluronic acid and vitamin c, the Hydra Lift Serum provides an instant tightening, brightening and smoothing effect with results that improve over time. It’s also great for: Restoring elasticity to reduce the visible signs of ageingLifting and firming fine lines Boosting skin hydration to revitalise the complexion Brightening BoostBrightening Boost stimulates collagen production to fight signs of premature ageing quickly and effectively. Skin tone is balanced and signs of pigmentation reduced, ensuring you see a brighter, fresher complexion after just one use. It’s also great for: Restoring your natural radiance and boosting vitalityPlumping fine lines Correcting blemishes and smoothing imperfections to refine skin tone Educate & UpliftAlways wanted skin that radiates a natural, effortless glow? The good news is it’s achievable, and we’ve got just the serums to help you out! Our skin ‘educating’ range contains intelligent ingredients that communicate with your skin cells, ensuring the products penetrate deeper into your epidermis. These serums provide immediate moisture, whilst protecting the skins barrier function to re-energise your complexion and promote a firmer, fresher appearance. Super Serum Day & NightEnriched with a combination of vitamin c, cassia alata leaf extract and retinol, the Super Serum duo prevents and protects against the first signs of ageing whilst resurfacing and rejuvenating the complexion. Used in conjunction, the Super Serum Day and Night promises to: Re-educate and uplift the skin, ensuring it functions more effectivelyBalance and brighten skin tone Restore a healthy glow and youthful complexion Skin ActivatorA multi-functional wonder, this miracle serum is often referred to as the first-aid kit in a bottle. Formulated with aloe vera, not only does it enhance the penetration of other products but it also helps to: - Improve the appearance of blemishes and imperfections- Brighten and balance the complexion- An all-round skin conditioner, it can even be used to heal burns, rashes and irritations Anti-AgeingOur powerful age-defying serums really do pack a punch. Designed to boost collagen production, they firm the skin from within, turning back the hands of time by enhancing skin regeneration. Not only will you see a noticeable difference in the appearance of line and wrinkles, results improve over time to help you age gracefully and, most importantly, naturally. Instant Smoothing SerumFeel confident in beautiful skin, with or without makeup with this refreshing, natural alternative to invasive cosmetic injections. A powerful combination of vitamin c, hyaluronic acid and polysaccharides means the Instant Smoothing Serum effectively smooths and rejuvenates tired skin, plus it also: Lift and plumps tired, sagging skinEnhances natural radiance Restores vitality for a fresh, youthful appearance Deep Repair ComplexThis concentrated repair treatment is enriched with an uplifting blend of natural active ingredients, including Anemarrha Extract and Oligopeptides. Penetrating deeper into the epidermis, its lipo-filling action works to re-densify the skin and reveal an enviably fresher, younger looking complexion. This serum is also ideal for: Enhancing your natural skin tone to ensure dullness is a thing of the pastFirm fine lines and plumping deeper lying wrinkles Providing a powerful hydration boost For more skincare tips and advice don’t forget to follow @monuskincare on Instagram and Twitter. ​

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OUR GUIDE TO VEGAN SKINCARE

With so many products to choose from shopping for skincare can be mind-boggling, but throw veganism into the mix, and it becomes a whole new ball game! Vegan skincare, contrarily to natural skincare, uses ingredients that are completely plant-derived. The good news is that this is no longer a niche lifestyle choice, the numbers of vegans are rising at an impressive rate and brands are reacting to the differing needs of their consumers. What’s more, vegan skincare doesn’t skimp on quality! From cleansers to toners, moisturisers to serums, these products will leave your skin looking and feeling fresh and radiant and are a great addition to your daily skincare regime, whether you’re vegan or not. If you want to avoid animal by-products in your skincare, keep reading for our definitive guide of ingredients to avoid and products to stock up on. Avoid Beeswax Although beeswax doesn’t directly come from the bee, it is known as an animal by-product because it is derived from the honeycomb that bees produce. While it should be avoiding if you are seeking vegan-friendly products, beeswax is commonly used in natural skincare due to its highly moisturising, skin softening properties. Royal Jelly Similarly to beeswax, royal jelly is also a bee by-product used in a host of natural skincare products to target ageing, relieve irritation and refine general skin health. The substance oozes from the glands of the worker bees and is fed to their young. Vegan-friendly alternatives include aloe vera and shea butter. Collagen Our skins natural collagen production depletes with age, which is why collagen-based skincare products are so popular. Not only do they promise to reduce the appearance of lines of wrinkles, but they improve elasticity and restore vitality. Unfortunately, collagen supplements commonly used in skincare are produced from the bones, skin and connective tissues of animals, including cattle (Bovine Collagen) and fish (Marine Collagen), among others. Luckily, there are vegan-friendly, plant-derived alternatives to collagen which have the same effect on the skin; the most common being Vitamin C. Its antioxidant properties not only make it a vital molecule for skin health but our bodies actually need it to produce collagen. Omega 3 Fatty Acids Found in fish oil, omega 3 fatty acids are well known for both their nutritional and aesthetic benefits. When it comes to skincare, they help regulate oil production, boost hydration and calm irritation whilst also protecting the skin against environmental and elemental damage. Omega 3 comes in several different forms, including both animal and plant-derived sources. Plant-based versions of omega 3 come from flaxseeds, chia seeds and leafy greens which are 100% vegan friendly! Lanolin Lanolin acts as a lubricant to prevent water loss and eliminate dry, flaky or irritated skin. The substance is secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep and acts as their waterproof barrier to protect from cold and wet conditions. Even though Lanolin possesses moisturising properties, research also indicates the substance as a comedogenic and cause of allergic reactions, particularly in those with sensitive skin. Lactic Acid Often derived from milk, Lactic Acid is an AHA. Known for its ability to accelerate the shedding of dead skin cells and detoxify the complexion, it is often found in skin-peeling or exfoliating products. Don’t panic if lactic acid is present in your vegan skincare regime, as there are plant-based derivatives of the ingredient. Our Top Five Vegan Skincare Products At MONU we pride ourselves on our variety of cruelty-free skincare and have now developed our own range of vegan friendly products. Below are our favourite's, please click here to view our full range of vegan and cruelty-free products. Rich Cream CleanserAn anti-ageing wonder, the Rich Cream Cleanser is a must for refreshing the complexion. Our innovative combination of natural ingredients, including panthenol and rosehip seed oil, deeply nourishes the skin whilst removing makeup and impurities in one quick and easy step. Micro ExfoliantBursting with plant-based actives, including papaya enzymes and diatomaceous earth, the dual-action microdermabrasion of Micro Exfoliant helps to soothe, calm and brighten the skin. Its gentle exfoliating action removes dead cells to eliminate dull complexions and restore natural radiance. Nourishing Treatment OilCalm, condition and protect your complexion with this powerful facial oil. Enriched with wild yam and soya extract, plus blackcurrant seed oil, it restores a natural, healthy glow and improves elasticity to keep skin looking younger for longer. Brightening BoostEnhanced with vitamin c, this energising formulation penetrates the skins surface to deliver greater stimulation. Brightening Boost also targets signs of premature ageing by stimulating collagen production and balancing skin tone, reducing signs of pigmentation and promoting a brighter, fresher appearance. Restoring Cream Available in both light and rich formulations, Restoring Cream provides intense nourishment and hydration. Our innovative blend of floral essential oils and age-defying vitamin c helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as delivering an instant boost of radiance. For more skincare tips and inspiration, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter & Instagram. ​

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STEP UP YOUR SKINCARE THIS SPRING​

Changing weather can wreak havoc upon the skin, so the arrival of a new season offers the perfect time to assess your beauty regime.

Just as you would transition your wardrobe according to the season, it’s essential to do the same for your skincare. The question is, which products should you be using and which should you be avoiding? Keep reading for our skincare experts’ advice on spring-cleaning your skincare this season.

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Tips and advice to help you with your complexion concerns and maintaining a healthier skincare routine using MONU's natural & cruelty free products.